Bishop Philip (MV Philippines) and a team from the Mindanao Evangelical Leaders Network are returning from a trip to deliver relief items to residents in a village of Jolo - capital of the Sulu archipelago.

14 hectares of housing was recently destroyed by fire, and because of militant presence in the region the military refused access for security reasons ... until now.

Philip reports ...

"Distributed relief goods to fire victims about 3,200 families.

It's heart piercing because [the displaced residents] started to arrive at 11am but we were able to distribute 3pm because some of our vital cargo was still in the ship's bulk. The military and volunteers had to hasten unloading.

We were very concerned of the elderly and the pregnant women who were standing under the heat of the sun ... We hoped we could have done more.

The [people] are very open. They acknowledged our intentions of humanitarian concerns ... they appreciate more that we did not hide our being Christians and they continually announced that we are evangelicals."

Please pray for Bishop Philip and his MELN co-workers as they partner with a church on Jolo island.

They ask for prayer “that the church will be able to carry out its biblical mandate as both Evangelicals and Catholics are under threat from ISIS inspired groups”.

Field Coordinators

Philip and Jemima Gonzalez oversee Agape Ministries and live in Southern Philippines with their four children and two grandchildren.

They are extremely passionate about seeing the communities they minister to transform through the Word of God.

Philip runs a Bible school focused on equipping young people for ministry, as well as operating an elementary school and an orphanage.

Additionally, Philip and Jemima are both heavily involved in local government demonstrating Christian character in all areas of society. Their impact and motivation for the Kingdom of God is inspiring.